Discuss Why The Current Healthcare System Is In Turmo 431695

Discuss Why The Current Health Care System Is In Turmoil Identify Tw

Discuss why the current health care system is in turmoil. Identify two major problems of health care and analyze the impact of each of the chosen problems on consumers and the community. Describe the benefits and risks of national health insurance. Your paper must be three to five double-spaced pages (excluding title and reference pages) and formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center. Utilize a minimum of three scholarly and/or peer-reviewed sources (not including your course text) published within the last five years. All sources must be documented in APA style, as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.

Paper For Above instruction

The current health care system in the United States is experiencing significant turmoil due to multiple interconnected issues that compromise the quality, accessibility, and sustainability of care. Two major problems that underpin this turmoil are the rising costs of healthcare and disparities in access and quality of care. Additionally, the debate surrounding national health insurance presents both potential benefits and risks that influence the future trajectory of the system.

The escalation of healthcare costs is a primary concern impacting consumers and the community profoundly. According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS, 2022), healthcare expenditures in the U.S. have continually risen, reaching approximately $4.3 trillion in 2021. These escalating costs burden individuals through higher insurance premiums, deductibles, and out-of-pocket expenses, making essential care financially inaccessible for many. As a consequence, some consumers delay or forego necessary treatment, resulting in poorer health outcomes and increased long-term societal costs (Squires & Anderson, 2015). Moreover, high healthcare costs contribute to economic instability in communities, as families devote substantial portions of their income to medical expenses, often leading to financial hardship or bankruptcy (Himmelstein et al., 2019).

Disparities in access and quality of healthcare constitute another critical challenge. The United States, despite its advanced medical technology, witnesses significant inequities among racial, socioeconomic, and geographic lines. Marginalized populations, including racial minorities and low-income groups, frequently face barriers such as lack of insurance coverage, transportation issues, language barriers, and limited healthcare facilities in rural areas (Williams et al., 2020). These disparities result in poorer health outcomes, higher rates of preventable illnesses, and reduced life expectancy among vulnerable populations. For example, African American and Hispanic communities experience higher rates of chronic illnesses like diabetes and hypertension, often exacerbated by inadequate access to consistent, quality care (Bailey et al., 2017). Such inequities undermine community health, perpetuate social disparities, and impose additional costs on the healthcare system through preventable hospitalizations and emergency care.

The concept of national health insurance (NHI) remains a contentious and complex aspect of health reform debates. Advocates of NHI argue that implementing a single-payer or government-regulated insurance system could streamline administrative processes, reduce overall healthcare costs, and expand coverage to underserved populations (Reinhardt, 2019). By removing financial barriers and ensuring universal access, NHI could improve health outcomes, promote preventive care, and foster equity across communities. Countries like Canada and the United Kingdom exemplify how national systems can lead to better population health metrics and lower administrative costs (Jorm & Roberts, 2020). However, critics caution about potential risks, including increased government expenditure, longer wait times for certain procedures, and reduced incentives for innovation within the healthcare industry (Klein, 2021). Additionally, some fear that centralized control might limit individual choice and lead to bureaucratic inefficiencies that could hinder personalized care.

Balancing the benefits and risks of national health insurance requires careful policy considerations. While universal coverage could address many of the systemic inequities and cost issues, the transition must be managed to prevent unintended consequences such as reduced quality, innovation stagnation, or increased taxation burdens. Hybrid models that incorporate elements of both private insurance and public coverage may offer a pragmatic approach to addressing the current turmoil.

In conclusion, the turmoil in the U.S. healthcare system stems from high costs and disparities that compromise access and quality of care. The implementation of national health insurance presents potential benefits such as universal access and cost containment, but also carries risks related to government spending and system efficiency. Addressing these issues requires comprehensive reforms that prioritize equitable, affordable, and high-quality healthcare services for all Americans. Future policies must carefully weigh these factors to foster a sustainable and equitable system capable of meeting the evolving health needs of communities nationwide.

References

Bailey, Z. D., Krieger, N., Agenor, M., Graves, J., Linos, N., & Bassett, M. T. (2017). Structural racism and health inequities in the USA: evidence and interventions. The Lancet, 389(10077), 1453-1463. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(17)30569-X

Himmelstein, D. U., Thorne, D., Warren, E., & Woolhandler, S. (2019). Medical bankruptcy: Still common despite assertions to the contrary. American Journal of Public Health, 109(3), 431–433. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2018.304942

Jorm, L., & Roberts, R. (2020). Comparative analysis of health care models: Lessons from Canada, UK, and Australia. Health Policy, 124(6), 603-608. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.healthpol.2020.03.002

Klein, R. (2021). The risks of single-payer health care: An argument for public-private hybrid models. Health Affairs Blog. https://www.healthaffairs.org/do/10.1377/hblog20210419.166532/full/

Reinhardt, U. E. (2019). The political economy of health care reform: Lessons from Canada. N Engl J Med, 381(23), 2194-2196. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMp1907599

Squires, D., & Anderson, C. (2015). U.S. health system reconstruction: The need for an integrated approach. The Commonwealth Fund. https://doi.org/10.26099/r9hm-9x63

Williams, D. R., Lawrence, J. A., & Davis, B. A. (2020). Racism and health: Evidence and needed research. Annual Review of Public Health, 41, 105–125. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-publhealth-040218-043750

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). (2022). National health expenditure data. Retrieved from https://www.cms.gov/Research-Statistics-Data-and-Systems/Statistics-Trends-and-Reports/NationalHealthExpendData